Kicking off Giving Tuesday is Pat Rothfuss' Worldbuilders 2-week Winter charity event! This year being the tenth anniversary of his philanthropic brainchild, we're going to see some big announcements, format changes, and wonderfully geek-themed goodies.
Previously, the charity spanned an entire month, and was almost always extended a little bit at the end for last minute donors, but this year the six week merrymaking is being packed into just 14 days (Nov 27 - Dec 11) of money raising mayhem.
So what are we raising money for, anyway? First of all, not all charities are created equal, and Charity Navigator is a great tool to figure out if what you're supporting is on the up & up. If you can't find your charity there, look for the organization's personal website (it should have one), where if it's reputable, a disclosure for how much of the money raised goes where, should be displayed, and always remember big charities = big overhead, so very little of the money actually gets into the hands of the people who need it most. With that said, all of the charities supported through Worldbuilders' fundraising efforts have at least a 3 star rating through Charity Navigator, and are forthright, and transparent about how they operate. As always, this winter's collection of coin will be going to Heifer International, whose goal is ending hunger and poverty, globally. What sets Heifer apart from other organizations is that it doesn't just do a food drop, or throw money at a problem, real solutions are sought and implemented in a way that not only eradicates the immediate problem, but has a real and lasting impact on entire communities through the allocation of resources, education, and infrastructure development. You can read more about their mission here.
In ten years Rothfuss has been able to rile his supporters into donating over 8 million dollars, and changing countless lives because of it. So, if you'd like to join in, and make this the most mind-bending record breaking year to date you can go here, and donate immediately, and follow the accounts below to stay up to date on all of the coming pandemonium:
Also, if you're a little strapped for cash this year, but you still want to be involved, please do not underestimate the power of your voice. Spread the word, share what you know, and educate others on the work that is being done. You will end up creating a ripple effect all your own, and change lives forever.
xoxo
